Talking about interesting things that had happened recently, Yilan and Kamisato Ayaka walked toward the top of Ganjin Island—the best place for viewing the scenery—chatting and laughing.
But on the way, they encountered an unexpected interruption: a group of people blocked their path up the mountain.
Well, even though it sounded serious, like a fight was about to break out, nothing bad actually happened.
In fact, a group of vendors enthusiastically surrounded them, insisting on giving gifts to Kamisato Ayaka.
At first, they could still carry them by hand, but as the number of gifts grew, they had to find a bag to store everything.
"You really are popular," Yilan joked as they bid farewell to the overly enthusiastic vendors and continued walking up the paved stone steps.
"It's fine when it's others, but when it's you, Brother, it feels like you're making fun of me!" Kamisato Ayaka pouted slightly. She put one hand on her waist and tried to look angry. "As punishment, you have to carry these things up!"
"Yes, my princess."
Yilan saluted like a knight and took the bag full of gifts from Kamisato Ayaka.
"Pfft!"
Kamisato Ayaka's eyebrows curved into crescent moons. She opened her folding fan to cover her lips, smiling gently. Her feet, wrapped in cotton socks and wooden clogs, made "click-clack" sounds as they stepped on the stone slabs.
She followed Yilan in small steps, tilting her head to gaze at the man beside her tenderly.
"Brother really is like a knight from a light novel," she said softly.
'Just like when I was a child, he would stand in front of me, keeping all disasters and pain away.'
Thinking of this, she suddenly grew curious.
"We don't have any knights in Inazuma, but I heard there's a Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt. Are the knights there the same as my brother?"
"They're far inferior to me," Yilan said, curling his lips. "There's a guy called Yilan, known as the Brilliant Knight, who might be comparable to me."
(I just don't know if there's a Yilan in Mondstadt in this simulated world…)
"Yilan…?" Kamisato Ayaka tilted her head thoughtfully, then shook it.
"Whether it's the Brilliant Knight or the Light Knight, none can compare to my brother!"
"Although I'm very flattered, Ayaka, if you keep praising me, I'll become arrogant," Yilan said chuckling.
"Brother is the most amazing person in the world!"
Though she was praising Yilan, Kamisato Ayaka wore an expression of pride, as if she herself were being praised.
"Since you said so, I'll accept it without any doubt."
Yilan couldn't hide the pride blooming in his heart at having such a proud little sister.
Kamisato Ayaka suddenly came closer, grabbing Yilan's arm with one hand and rummaging through her pocket with the other.
"Let's see what's in here… Hmm? Someone even gave us a few masks."
She pulled out a fox mask, put it on playfully, and asked, "Brother, do you want to pick one to wear?"
"Mask?"
Yilan was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a smile.
"I don't need it."
"Then I won't wear one either."
Kamisato Ayaka put the mask back into her pocket. The two continued walking arm in arm up to the summit of Ganjin Island.
Suddenly, the scenery opened up.
They reached the peak: a cliff-like location with an incredible view.
From here, they could see the lights of countless homes glittering in Inazuma City in one direction, and the colorful reflections of fireworks on the sea in another.
A giant cherry tree stood proudly at the summit. Its slender branches were heavy with blossoms. Whenever a breeze blew, the petals would fall like rain.
Kamisato Ayaka let go of Yilan's arm, took a few joyful steps forward, and looked around with surprise sparkling in her ice-blue eyes.
Then she turned around.
Under the dazzling fireworks and the drifting cherry blossoms, the graceful girl waved at Yilan. Her face glowed with a shy yet happy smile as she called out:
"Brother, the scenery here is so beautiful!"
No, you are more beautiful, Yilan thought.
(If this were an invitation event, such a scene would definitely be saved as CG, right?)
He found a relatively flat stone beneath the cherry tree, brushed the dust off it with his sleeve, sat down, and quietly admired the view.
Kamisato Ayaka came over naturally, sat beside him, and after rummaging in her pockets, pulled out a string of candied haws. She offered it to Yilan in a soft voice:
"Brother, have some candied haws."
"I'm not a child anymore," Yilan said with a laugh, shaking his head—but he still opened his mouth and bit off one of the candied haws.
After chewing for a moment, he frowned slightly.
"It's a bit sour."
Hearing this, Kamisato Ayaka also popped a candied haw into her mouth. After chewing it, she said with a bright smile:
"No, I think it's very sweet."
Kamisato Ayaka blushed slightly but quickly pulled out another snack: a skewer of three-color dango.
She bit off the top dumpling herself and pushed the remaining two toward Yilan's mouth, commanding sweetly but forcefully:
"Brother, eat the three-color dango."
Yilan shook his head vigorously, pretending to be stubborn.
"Eat… or don't eat—?!"
Kamisato Ayaka's smile remained gentle, but her small hand crept up to the soft flesh at Yilan's waist, pinching and twisting it 180 degrees.
"I'll eat it! I'll eat it!"
Yilan immediately surrendered spinelessly, hurriedly eating the two remaining dango.
Kamisato Ayaka immediately teased him, looking at him with a face full of mock disgust.
But she couldn't hold it in for long and soon broke into giggles.
Yilan laughed along with her.
"Bang!"
Another wave of fireworks exploded in the air, dyeing the sky and sea in dazzling colors.
Kamisato Ayaka gently leaned her head against Yilan's shoulder.
Yilan, in turn, wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulders.
The night was peaceful.
The gentle sound of the waves lapped below the cliffs, and the lively cheers from festival-goers echoed from nearby.
"It's wonderful to see such a peaceful scene," Kamisato Ayaka said softly.
"Everyone is happily enjoying the festival."
"Do you also like this kind of scenery?" Yilan asked.
"Of course I do."
"Really? I'm glad you like it…"
At that moment, Yilan became even more convinced that what he had done was right.
Even if he ended up in hell—
—If it could bring about such peaceful scenes,
—If it could make the people around him smile—
—Then everything would be worth it.